Daring Catch Leaves Senator Bleeding During Congressional Baseball Game

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Sen. Eric Schmitt dives for a catch at the Congressional Baseball Game (Images via C-SPAN)

Senator Eric Schmitt left it all on the field during Wednesday night’s Congressional Baseball Game.

Each year, two teams of Democratic and Republican members of Congress gather to raise funds through one of America’s favorite pastimes. The first Congressional Baseball Game was hosted in 1909 and has been held annually since 1962.

Over the years, it has evolved from a friendly exhibition into a major charitable fundraiser. It provides a rare opportunity for lawmakers to step outside of the Capitol and set aside political battles for a night of baseball and fundraising.

The annual tradition is one of the oldest in politics and has become one of Washington’s largest bipartisan charitable events. The 2026 game was hosted at Nationals Park and drew more than 32,000 fans. In total, they raised over $3 million dollars for charity.

Beneficiaries include the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, Washington Nationals Philanthropies, the Washington Literacy Center, the U.S. Capitol Police Memorial Fund, and more.

Senator Eric Schmitt’s Risky Catch Draws Blood

In the bottom of the third inning, 50-year-old Senator Eric Schmitt executed one of the most memorable plays of the game. Now a member of the Republican Party, representing the state of Missouri, he formerly played baseball at Truman State University.

As a fly ball headed toward the left field foul line, Schmitt dove without hesitating, completed the catch, and secured the out. When he rose, grinning from ear to ear, he was bleeding from the bridge of his nose.

The play earned the Senator the game’s MVP honors. The Republican team went on to win the game 11-2. It was the party’s sixth straight victory in the annual face-off against the Democrats.

SportsCenter ranked Schmitt’s catch as the fifth-best play of the day. Watch the epic moment below!

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